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AFL is a national institution, so too is footy season snacking.
But whilst snacking and footy go hand-in-hand, deciding what – and when – to eat during the game can be as hard as watching your team lose by a point.
Take a ‘pie and pint’ at the stadium for example. While this is a traditional favourite, getting hold of it often means missing out a good chunk of the action while you queue for ages only to end up with a soggy or rubbery mess that fills you with regret rather than with savoury satisfaction.
The DJays Gourmet family are footy fanatics and we love our game-time munchies – but we don’t want to miss a minute of the action queuing for food. We’re also partial to some snacking indulgence every now and then, but we’re also mindful of what we’re putting into our bodies, especially when we’re spending hours on the couch or at the game every weekend!
That’s why we’ve put together this list of healthy snacks that beat the pie queue and which also beat any savoury cravings into submission.
Read on to discover what snack switches you can make which will beat the queue and lift your game in terms of healthier match-day snacking.
We’ve chosen the following snacks for many reasons including taste, convenience, satisfaction, versatility and healthy goodness – and you can just as easily pop them into a handbag or daypack for munching at the stadium or into a bowl to share with friends and family watching the game at home.
Biltong is our number one pick for footy season. This traditional South African dried beef treat is chockful of protein-powered goodness, and its long shelf-life and portable convenience makes it a winner all the way. Take some to the game (you can even slip a bag into your jacket pocket) and enjoy the savoury satisfaction of this nutritious flavour bomb.
Popcorn is another healthy winner. Rich in fibre and low in calories (especially if it’s air-popped), this whole-grain snack is convenient and flavourful. However, shop-bought products often have artificial additives and lots of salt, so it’s best to make your own using healthy oils like olive or avocado oil.
These are a great source of plant protein, healthy fats, fibre, vitamins and minerals – and because you only need a handful for a powerful energy boost, a nut and seed mix is a quick and easy snack to take to the footy.
A homemade spinach and cheese gozleme beats a long queue and a mediocre pie every time. Simply cook up some fresh baby spinach and chopped onions in a little olive oil, add some crumbled feta and season well – then smear a wholegrain wrap, tortilla or Lebanese bread with the mixture, fold in half and toast in a sandwich press. Wrap in foil and take to the game where you can enjoy its delish healthy goodness without the frustrating waiting.
Store-bought cheese and crackers are a great choice for match-day snacking. Easy to pack and eat, these make a healthier choice that will keep you energised for all four quarters! And if you want to avoid the carbs, just take some string cheese sticks or blocks of hard cheese to the game for pure protein power.
A cold snag is another great idea for footy season snacking – and it pairs beautifully with a cold bevvie while cheering your team on. Grill or bake a pack of your favourite flavour (think Cumberland, beef and caramelised onion, pork with fennel and garlic, chicken and peppercorn) and take them along to the game. Hello juicy flavour, goodbye pie queue.
And if you love snags – you’ll probably love droewors – another traditional South African dried meat snack. It’s a lightly spiced sausage that’s air-dried to make it a bit chewy and a bit snappy, while staying moist and more-ish… the perfect footy munchie!
A yummy meatball is like a delicious pie without the starchy pastry – and when you bring your own pre-cooked ones to the game, there’s no wasted hours in the food queue either. They’re convenient finger-good at its healthy best.
We said earlier that beef biltong is our footy fave – and while some may say that we’re a bit biased because we’ve been making Australia’s best biltong for decades (even before the VFL became the AFL in 1990!) – the science behind the snack is proof of its protein-powered goodness.
It’s always best to buy your biltong from a reputable supplier so that you can trust the manufacturing process. DJays Gourmet beef biltong is 100% natural, made from premium grass-fed Aussie beef which is air-dried naturally and flavoured with all natural ingredients.
It’s the perfect snack for footy fanatics who prefer to watch the game and cheer their team on than wasting valuable time in queues to buy fast food which is often highly processed and disappointingly dull.
Why not order some DJays biltong today and get your hands on the perfect footy season snack? Online ordering is quick and easy and with our speedy door-to-door delivery across Australia, you’ll be kicking some quality snacking goals without missing a minute of the action.
Arron Zamel has been General Manager of DJays Gourmet since 2015 and under his expert leadership, the company has cemented its reputation as Australia’s leading supplier of packaged jerky and biltong.
His strong family connection to South Africa, his marketing and management degree from Monash University, his technical expertise plus his experience as a successful entrepreneur and import/export business owner made him the ideal candidate for the challenging position.
Additionally, Arron’s innovative approach to management, his proven brand-building credentials, his strong customer focus and youthful energy have ensured that DJays Gourmet’s high-quality biltong and jerky have become Australia's dried meat treats of choice.
He understands traditional South African flavours and the precision techniques required to create truly authentic biltong, jerky and droewors (dried sausage). Part of his job is overseeing operations at DJays' purpose-built facility in Perth, WA where tons of Australian beef goes into making premium dried meat products each month for distribution to retail and wholesale customers across Australia.
For more insights into Arron’s world, visit the DJays Gourmet website, check out their Facebook page or follow them on Instagram @djaysgourmet.